Philly Trip

Last week I visited my family in America. First I visited my brother and sister-in-law in the boondocks about and hour from Detroit, and then I spent time with them as well as my mother and father in Philadelphia. From start to finish(except the return flihgt which was delayed 3 hours) everything was great. Over the next few days/weeks, I will show you all some photos from the trip.

St my parent's house, there is a basketball net. When I was a child I used to play a lot of basketball on that court. So this time, I took a few shots (made all of them...swoosh) and reminisced. It was fun. Then, after shooting afew hoops, we went down to the museum in the city to say "Hi" to Rocky, the Italien Stallion. He looked fit, in shape, as usual.

This morning, it was like a monsoon outside when I walked to the classroom. I got drenched, from head to toe. My socks, jeans, long underwear...everything. But because I am smart, I brought a change of clothes today. Some new jeans which I bought in America. 2 pairs for 30$!! You can't beat that! What a great bargain/deal!! And, they fit great!

"Okuribito" wins the Oscar!

Finally my prediction was right!! It is practically a miracle. Right after I saw "Okuribito" last October maybe, I said, "This movie will win a Oscar for best foreign film." My predictions almost never come true, and most people who know me, know this. But this time, I hit it right on the nob. As I wrote in a blog about this movie before, the balance of the movie, the many stories intertwined in the movie, the music, the photography, the unique "japanese" scenes such as the bath house, all mesh well together. Plus the main character in the movie gets laid off, and has to look for another job. So, considering the recession around the world today, the timing is also perfect for this movie. If you haven't seen it yet, now you got to!

(The only bad thing about the movie is the english translation to the title. In English, it is called, "Departures." This is a mistranslation I believe. This translation doesn't depict the meaning of "Okuribito" accurately I think. If i translated it, I would translate it another way.)

Below are some more, better, more clear photos, from the special dinner the other which I wrote about before. In the photos, the food and people and condo all look much better than the blurry photos taken with my cell phone.

Philadephia

It aint the beach, but that's where I am headed from tomorrow to visit my family and eat some good Philadelphia food. Enjoy Valentine's Day, have a good weekend, and see you all when I get back! Adios~

Thanks for these photos from Hawaii Yo-chan. They are beautiful and remind me of my trip to Hawaii a few years ago...
Recently I think that I want to go to Hawaii again.
And thanks for that beer too! :)

Restaurant Review: Kawaramache-Blanche

The other day Miss e and I went out for a bite and some drinks. After a little deliberation(thinking about where to go) I chose a place in the neighborhood, Kawaramache-Blanche. It was a good choice. I had heard some things about this restaurant, both good and bad, so I wanted to try it out for myself. It was quite crowded...I think every table and all seats at the bar were full. About the size, it is not such a big place, but I didn't feel too cramped, and basically I felt comfortable. About ordering food, since I do not like to pick out things on the menu, I left that up to Miss e. And she did a good job! She picked 4 dishes. We both agreed that 3 were good, and one was just ok. And, we both liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, and the bill was quite reasonable. That night was a nice change of pace, different than the regular routine. If you are in the neighborhood and in the mood for some good food and some drinks, I recommend it.

On another topic, I heard that this friday will be 17 degrees Celcius! That's pretty warm for February...

Change and Cram school kids

Recently, I have heard a lot of news about "change" around me. Today I will tell you about one of the changes. My favorite lunch place closed at the end of January. The owner, the mother of my students, is a great woman, with a great smile, and also a long-time friend of mine. Her place was the only place where I could really relax, take a break, read the newspaper, and enjoy lunch. So, it was "special" for me. In the beginning of January, she told me that Jan. 30th was the last day. I was caught off guard, but I wasn't totally surprised. Sometimes, that is just the way business, life is...She took over the shop from her mother-in-law, and her family, her husband and 3 kids all lived above the shop. Even though she didn't have to, she explained the reasons why she decided to close her shop, and of course, I understood. On the 30th, I sent her and email and she replied by saying "Today, many many people came to the shop for lunch. It was crazy busy...I regret that I didn't have enough time to say a heartful THANK YOU to each and every customer...I will never forget today my whole life..." It was a "special" day for her, and a special" place for me. So to Ms. H, "Truly thank you, and great job!"

And, the other day, another different and "special" thing happend to me. Another friend Ms. I, who runs a cram school in South Osaka, invited me to her school to help out and teach the kids. It was a very rewarding and fresh experience. The kids are were so cute, and pure. it was great.
Enjoy the weekend everyone!!

"Setsubun"

Yesterday, February 3rd, was a special day in Japan. "Sestubun" is a ritual in Japan, and always held on February 3rd every year. In Japan, people do a few unique (and strange) things on this day.

First, you must eat soy beans on this day. And you must eat the same number of soy beans as your age. (Or maybe it is the same number of soy beans as your age PLUS one. To be honest, I forget which it is...but, who cares! :) And before you eat the beans, you have to throw many beans outside the house yelling "Get out of here bad luck!!!" . And at this time, someone=this is my role, must wear a demon mask and go otuside and all of the beans are thrown at and hit this masked guy. After that, you have to throw many beans inside the house saying "Come in good luck!!!" Then, when everything is all finished, someone has to clean up all the beans on the floor. Any volunteers?

The next activity is eating rolled sushi. There are many kinds of roll sushi to choose from, which one do you like the best? My friend prefers the "Thick roll"! How about you?
And here are the rules for when you eat the roll sushi.
First, this year you must face Northeast whe you eat it.
(while eating it you should say a wish, or pray for something, or if you want to many things...)
Second, you can not stop until you finish eating the whole thing!
(So if you are like my friend and choose the Thick Roll, you got a lot of work to do!)
Third, and my favorite rule, is you can NOT talk while eating it. That's right, Silence!

Truly a beautiful and fun ritual. I hope to do it again next year too!
How about you? Did you do it last night? Are you gonna try it next year? I wonder what the two little fellas below think of this ritual???..........

Snow, snow ball fights, snow man, and Volcano Eruptions

My friend the Doctor went to his wife's hometown last month for some old-fashioned snow fun! He went with his whole family. In the below photo you can see his father-in-law and daughter. I have never met his cute daughter but I really want to one day. On the other hand, I have met his father-in-law. He's a great guy and can really hold his liquor.

I have seen a little snow, some snow flurries, this year in Japan, but no big storm or anything. Around Osaka, there usually isn't so much snow. Just a few flurries a year.
In Philadelphia, my home town, some years there is a lot of snow...6 inches, sometimes one foot, even two feet. I miss havign snow fights and playing football in the snow. But I don not miss shoveling!!

Yesterday, in the Kanto region of Japan, there was a volcanic eruption. This is very rare, but there was a lot of news about it yesterday on tv (this was covered on the news before those stories about 8-time Gold medal winner Phelps and the other Sumo wrestler guy.)

Read here about the Volcano:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090203a1.html

The Wild Boar Vandalizer

This is Mr. H's true story:

"The other day a wild boar broke through my metal fence, and dug up my pansies and tried to eat the roots of some of the trees as well as maybe some bugs. My wife found a pansu(below photo) about 20 or 30 meters from the house. Maybe the wild boar kicked it. Anyway, the story gets even worse. When I fixed the fence, I cut my hand in three different places. And I also re-injured my elbow. (Like Mr. F, he has a bad case of "golf-elbow"). I hate that wild boar!! And from April, I wil retire so I will have a lot of time then. If that boar comes back, I am gonna get him and smack him with my golf club!!!!"

If the police catch that vandalizer, the boar, and you were selected to be on the jury, what sentence would you give the boar? Life in prison with no probabtion, 5-10 years in prison with probation, or just a slap on the wrist and let the boar off lightly...You should think about it, because when the new jury system begins in Japan in a few months, you should prepare yourself.

Barcelona

My folks went to Barcelona last month. It was their first time to go to Europe together in a long long time. My mother send me some of the pics from the trip and she said this one was my father's favorite shot. They titled the photo "Everyday life Barcelona."
I like the pic too...because I think all of the clothes haning out, drying, is cool. For your information, in America, you can not do that because people think it is bad manners or impolite or inappropriate or an eye sore...but I don't have a problem with it, and as many of you know, everyone in Japan does it too.

Home-made dinner

Because of the "T sisters," I began this week on a very good note.
Ms. T and her sister went out of their way and invited Ms. S and I to dinner at their house. Ms. T and her sister(her nickname is "The Ape." I don't know why "The Ape" is her nickname, but I think it is related to the fact that her Chinese calendar sign is a Monkey). Anyway, the T sisters just bought a new condominium in the city. It was really gorgeous! And you could even see the Osaka(Kyocera) Dome from the bedroom window! The living room is all glass windows, so the view at night, all the neon and building lights, is really spectacular!!! Combined with some classical music, of Frank Sinatra music in the background, it is Perfect!
They live on about the 30th floor of a new hig-rise, so I was worried because I am afraid of heights...but it was no problem. Even though the room is really high, I didn't feel scared at all. It was my first time is such a high room in a high condo, so it was pretty cool. And to make the evening even more special, the T sisters prepared a beautiful and delicious dinner!!! Chicken, penne pasta with tomato sauce, and french bread, and broccoli, and coffee and home-made cheese-cake dessert, and wine, and beer...I was flabergasted!! Speechless! At a loss for words!! Everything, and most of all their hospitality and consideration, was Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
While we all ate, we talked a lot, and joked around a little, and had a really good time. It was a lot of laughs, and good times! Thanks a lot T sisters, it was great!!!

TGIF!!! (Thank god its Friday!!)

Hope ya'll have a good weekend!

Hudson River Plane photos...

My friend sent me these photos. He lives on the other side of the river(not the New York City part), in Jersey City. Many people gathered around to take photos when the plane was removed from the river...

Speaking of many people gathering...I read that about 2.4 million people went to watch Obama's Inauguration ceremony live. That's a lot of people. But I think that the 20th was a Tuesday, a regular day, not a Holiday. So, I wonder...did everyone take a day off, play hookie from work, or play hookie from school?

There is a new Top Dog in Town.

Yes, President Obama!
The 44th President Inauguration of the United States of America!!!
Read all about the hits and misses of the speech here!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_pl220

New York

Did you see the news about the miraculous landing of the airplane in the Hudson River in New York. The plane hit a flock of birds right after take off. And three minutes later, landed in the hudson river. The pilot made some quick and correct decisions, and thus could save many peoples lives. More than some of the "heros" we see in the news every day, I think that he is a true hero.

Read more about it here:
http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Bird-strike-caused-Hudson-crash-536567099.html

"The best job in the world"

Do you want to have the best job in the world? If yes, then all you have to do is search for "Best job in the world-Queensland" on the net, find the article/link, then polish up your resume, send it, and apply.

The description of the job, "an island caretaker" is really a job?! And the salary isn't too bad either!!! I really hope you read the article above!!! It's unbelievable!

Australia, is a great country. The New Year's and Christmas pictures below from are nice, but they don't give you a full taste of really how great Australia, and Aussies, and Victoria Bitter (VB) Beer, and ALL THE NATURE are!!! You really DO have to go there and see it, feel it, with your own eyes!!

The Dentist (in Algeria)

I got another email from my friend Shige in Algeria. He said he had a problem with a filling in one of his teeth...and then he went to the dentist with a translator. It was his first time to the dentist in Algeria. He told me he was scared, and said "I will pay any amount of money, PLEASE just give me the best medical treatment Alegeria has to offer and PLEASE fix my tooth!" And he also said, the two dentists(in the picture below) had never seen a metal filling beforenad THEY were surprised. But, they kindly spent over and hour so working on his teeth and fixed everything for him. Now he has a ceramic filling, and he says life is grand.

Medical treatment in a foreign country can be scary...But it can also be a good, eye-opening experience.

What does 2009 hold in store for Japan?

What do you think will happen in Japan, to Japan, in 2009?
How about my home country, the United States of America???

Do you have any interesting or off-the-wall predictions?
This is an article about what some people think is in store for Japan in 2009...
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090106vf.html

My opinion is that...recently I have learned that it is not wise of me to make predictions. Because, unfortunately, usually my predictions aren't correct. So at this time, I will refrain from making any bold, or not so bold, predictions, please forgive me.

But if you have any bold, or not so bold, predictions, about what is in store for Japan, or YOU, in 2009, I am all ears!!

(Below are some shots from a recent trip to England a student took)

Winter BBQ

How was your three-day weekend? Yesterday, the 12th, was "Adult Day," a national holiday in Japan. This means that all the kids who are 20 officially become adults. They have ceremonies and celebrations and many guys and girls wear kimonos or suits and get dressed up. Also, because 20 is the lega drinking age in Japan, many kids also drink (for the first time?) and some can't handle their liquor, so some get a little too drunk and misbehave, or even worse, pass out or get sick. Anyway, to all those kids, welcome to adulthood!!! Adulthood is just wonderful...

To change the subject, I got this photo from a friend in Australia. She is staying in a room-share, and on the balcony, they have a barbecue grill. That is fantastic! One of the great things about the States and Australia is that a lot of people barbecue. Some people even bbq in the winter! I know that it is hard to believe, but it is true. I can't wait to have another bbq...actually, I just remembered! I think I still have some charcoal left from last season!! :)

Oh yeah, it's a little late, but what the heck. What are your New year's resolutions for 2009? Did you make any? If you did, did you already break any? Or are you still keeping them?

I made a few New Year's resolutions, and, so far, so good. I have kept them all. For example, I made a resolution to walk 1 hour every day. And I made a reservation to read the newspaper for at least 45 minutes every day. And one more, but I forgot it! :)

How about you?

"What are your New Year's resolutions for 2009?"

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20081230vf.html

What happened when the bubble burst?

It is important to learn from the past. About 15 or so years ago there was a financial bubble in Japan. From what I hear, a lot of people lived the high life! Making and spending all sorts of money. But then the bubble burst, and all of us know what happened after that.



This is an interesting article, and very applicable to the situation around the world financially today.

Lessons from when the bubble burst:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090106i1.html

Driving with "Boat-man"

Do you like driving? I don't. The only vehicle which I like to drive is a boat! I am a great boat driver. Just call me "The Captain"! But in all honesty, I do not like driving cars. And cars, and gasoline is pretty expensive. So for a cheap guy like me, that is not a cost I wanna pay. Do you have a car? If you did, would you let a friend borrow your car if they asked you? (Maybe Mr. F who has a nice Merces Bentz, would say a big "NO WAY!! DREAM ON IT!!")



The below article is about a car sharing system in Tokyo. Considering the economy now, and also the environment, it doesn't sound like such a bad idea.



"Car sharing catching on as an alternative:

"http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090106f1.html





Ah~~~, but I really should get a driver's license some time soon so I can rent a car when I go on vacation...Annoying!!!

The Year of the Cow with "Cattle-man"

This is the year of the cow according to the Chinese Calendar. So like a cow, I plan to walk slowly, but not quickly, step by step, with a firm footing on the ground. Moo~~~.

I got this photo taken of me when I was in Kuroshima last year. What a great memory! Kuroshima Island is famous for for black cattle that are used for the delicious beef. That island literally has nothing but cattle farms, and one nice little snorkeling spot. I really hope I have the opportunity to go back there one day!

What is your Chinese calendar sign? Mine is...................Tiger!! Are you surprised? Or do you think a Toger fits me?

To change the topic, I have a question. Do you like TV? In Japan there is a well-known television talk show host. His name is Mino Monta. In a very candid interview, he talks about politics, retirement, and his liking for a drink. If you are interested, it's a good article, please check it out:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090104x1.html